Search FPP

Crop Protection Updates

Draft Guidelines for Human Exposure Assessment: Extension of Public Comment Period

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of the external review draft of “Guidelines for Human Exposure Assessment” for public review and comment (81 FR 774-775). With this notice EPA is announcing the extension of the comment period to March 22, 2016. EPA is seeking public comment prior to external peer review. The document will undergo review during an expert peer review meeting, which will be convened, organized, and conducted by an independent contractor. The date and location of the peer review meeting will be announced in a subsequent Federal Register notice. All comments received in the docket by the closing date March 22, 2016 will be shared with the peer review panel for their consideration. Comments received after the close of the comment period may be considered by EPA when it finalizes the document.

Pesticide Product Registration: Correction and Reopening of Comment Period

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice in the Federal Register of January 13, 2016 (81 FR 1625) concerning Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses. The notice inadvertently identified the applications listed as being new active ingredients rather than new uses. This document corrects that error and also reopens the comment period for an additional 15 days.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-(3-carboxy-1-oxosulfopropyl)-ω-hydroxy-, alkyl (C 10-C 16) ethers, disodium salts with a polyoxyethylene (POE) content averaging 5-15 moles, specifically CAS Reg. Nos. 68815-56-5, 68954-91-6, 1013906-64-3, and 1024612-24-5, when used as inert ingredients (surfactants) in pesticide formulations applied to crops at a concentration not to exceed 10% by weight under 40 CFR 180.910.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of benzyl acetate (CAS Reg. No. 140-11-4), when used as an inert ingredient (solvent) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops only under 40 CFR 180.920.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2, the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC) is a necessary committee which is in the public interest. Accordingly, the FRRCC will be renewed for an additional two-year period. The purpose of the FRRCC is to provide advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities.

Withdrawal of Pesticide Petitions for Establishment or Modification of Pesticide Chemical Tolerances or Tolerance Exemptions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the withdrawal of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of tolerances or tolerance exemptions for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities. The petitions were either withdrawn voluntarily by the petitioners or by the Agency.

Potato: Amendment to a Temporary Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes a temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the VNT1 protein in or on potatoes when used as a plant-incorporated protectant in accordance with the terms of Experimental Use Permit (EUP) (8917-EUP-2).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, monoester with 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3- pentanediol when used as an inert ingredient (solvent, co-solvent) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or raw agricultural commodities under the EPA’s regulations.

Conventional, Biopesticide and Antimicrobial Pesticide Dockets Opened for Review and Comment

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opened the public comment period for several registration reviews. Registration review is EPA's periodic review of pesticide registrations to ensure that each pesticide continues to satisfy the statutory standard for registration, that is, the pesticide can perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment. Registration review dockets contain information that will assist the public in understanding the types of information and issues that the Agency may consider during the course of registration review. Through this program, EPA is ensuring that each pesticide's registration is based on current scientific and other knowledge, including its effects on human health and the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the availability of EPA’s draft pollinator-only ecological risk assessment for the registration review of imidacloprid and opens a public comment period on this document. The public comment period will open tomorrow, Friday, January 15, 2016.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) posted data from the 2014 Pesticide Data Program (PDP) Annual Summary, which confirms that overall pesticide chemical residues found on the foods tested are at levels below the tolerances established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and do not pose a safety concern.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised its regulations to more clearly describe the active and inert ingredients that are permitted in products eligible for the minimum risk pesticide exemption.